7 Things to Do When You Get the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

So you’ve done it: You applied and were approved for a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® card. Maybe it was the welcome bonus or the suite of benefits, but the card caught your attention and now a shiny new card is arriving in the mail. With the annual fee being quite high on this card, it’s important to take advantage of as many benefits as possible.

Here are seven things to do when you get the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.

» Learn more: Citi AAdvantage Executive review: Your key to the club

1. Complete the spending requirement

The first thing you’ll want to do after receiving your Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is make a plan to complete the spending requirement in order to earn the welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

An easy way to do this is to charge all of your monthly expenses to the card: cell phone, cable, utilities, etc. With a payment service like Plastiq, you can even make mortgage and rent payments with your credit card (though do some math first to make sure any fees are worth paying). Planning your spending in advance will help you avoid a last-minute scramble to complete the spending requirement.

2. Add an authorized user

If you think you’ll cut it close in terms of completing the spending requirement, consider adding an authorized user to your card. It can help you meet your spending goal faster. As an added bonus, authorized users qualify for complimentary Admirals Club access. That brings us to our next point …

3. Take advantage of Admirals Club membership

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® comes with complimentary Admirals Club membership, valued at up to $850. Considering this card has a $595 annual fee, this benefit is a nice incentive to keep the account open.

Those with an Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® can access Admirals Club lounges by presenting their card. Authorized users must also present a valid government ID and same-day boarding pass from a flight on a Oneworld airline.

If you already paid for Admirals Club membership prior to getting this card, you may be eligible for a prorated refund if you have 60 or more days remaining on your membership.

4. Claim your Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® comes with a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit of up to $100 every five years. This can help offset the card’s $595 annual fee, not to mention improve your travel experience.

» Learn more: Credit cards with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits

5. Earn Loyalty Point requirements

Cardholders who reach 40,000 Loyalty Points on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® in an elite status qualifying year earn 10,000 Loyalty Points. They'll earn an additional 10,000 Loyalty Points when they reach 90,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualifying year.

The card also earns 1 Loyalty Point per 1 eligible mile purchase — the only metric that matters for earning elite status in the airline loyalty program. If you’re aiming for AAdvantage elite status, this benefit can help you get there faster.

» Learn more: American Airlines Loyalty Points aren't as easy to earn as you might think

6. Share the wealth

If you’re traveling with family or friends, you can share some of your Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® benefits to make their experience at the airport a little easier. Cardholders and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation qualify for a free first checked bag as well as priority check-in, boarding and airport screening when flying American Airlines. The checked bag benefit alone can save a group of nine up to $270 each way on domestic flights.

Charge all of their airfare to your Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and you’ll earn 4 miles per $1 spent.

7. Use your card for in-flight purchases

Cardholders enjoy a 25% discount on in-flight purchases when flying American Airlines. Don’t settle for peanuts — treat yourself to a snack box. Pay with your Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and you’ll receive a statement credit equal to 25% of the purchase.

Planning a trip? Check out these articles for more inspiration and advice: American Airlines AAdvantage program: The complete guide 4 reasons to start collecting American Airlines AAdvantage miles Find the best travel credit card for you